Track assembly for farm implement

ABSTRACT

A track assembly for assisting in moving a farm implement along a ground surface in a line of travel is provided. The track assembly includes a tilt arm comprising front and rear ends. The track assembly includes a camber arm coupled to the tilt arm such that the camber arm permits the tilt arm to pivot about a first axis perpendicular to the line of travel and a second axis parallel to the line of travel. The camber arm is located between the front and rear ends of the tilt arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/230,713, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/243,517 filed Aug. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.10,239,569, filed Aug. 22, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/662,740, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,457,854, filed Mar.19, 2015, which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/974,183 filed on Apr. 2, 2014, the entire disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is related generally to a track assembly for amobile farm implement, and, more particularly, to a track system for amobile farm implement including a plurality of arms and pivots tosupport idler wheels and bogie wheels such that the track assembly isable to better conform to the terrain when the farm implement is towedbehind a tractor or otherwise moved.

Description of the Related Art

Mobile farm implements may generally include wheels or track assembliesto support the frame and allow a tow vehicle such as a tractor to movethe farm implement. Mobile farm implements such as grain carts, seedtenders, and sprayers are used in fields in which the terrain may beuneven. If the track assemblies are not able to follow the contours ofthe terrain, it may cause stress on the track assemblies or theimplement, which may cause failure or increased wear. In the case oftowable farm implements, the farm implements are also required toclosely follow the path of a tow vehicle to avoid moving off the pathand damaging crops. Therefore, it is desirable to have track assembliesfor a farm implement that can adapt to the unevenness of the terrain andclosely follow the path of the tow vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a farm implementincludes a frame and a track assembly for assisting in moving the farmimplement along a ground surface in a line of travel, the track assemblybeing pivotable about multiple axes so as to conform to changes in theground surface level. The track assembly includes a camber arm coupledto the frame. The track assembly also includes a tilt arm that iscoupled to the camber arm so as to be pivotable relative to the frameabout a first axis perpendicular to the line of travel and pivotablerelative to the camber arm about a second axis parallel to the line oftravel. The track assembly further includes a rear idler wheel coupledto the tilt arm. The track assembly further includes a front idler wheelcoupled to the tilt arm and positioned in front of the rear idler wheelalong the line of travel. The track assembly further includes analignment arm that is pivotally coupled to the front idler wheel so asto allow the front idler wheel to pivot about a third axis that isvertical relative to the tilt arm. The track assembly further includes atrack belt looped around the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheelto make contact with the ground surface.

The farm implement track assembly may further include a first bogie armcoupled to the tilt arm and a first bogie wheel coupled to the bogie armbetween the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel, wherein thebogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm and so as to allow thebogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.The bogie wheel may be rotatably mounted to the bogie arm at a firstlocation and the first bogie arm may be pivotally coupled to the tiltarm at a second location so as to allow the first bogie wheel to move ina vertical direction relative to the tilt arm (e.g., a direction up ordown relative to a longitudinal axis of the tilt arm). The first bogiearm may further be pivotally coupled at a third location to thealignment arm such that when the first bogie wheel is moved in avertical direction relative to the tilt arm, the alignment arm and frontidler wheel are moved in an opposite vertical direction relative to thetilt arm, e.g. if the first bogie wheel is moved up relative to the tiltarm, the alignment arm and front idler wheel are moved down relative tothe tilt arm and vice versa.

The farm implement may further include a second bogie arm coupled to thetilt arm and a second bogie wheel coupled to the second bogie armbetween the first bogie wheel and the rear idler wheel along the line oftravel, wherein the second bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt armso as to allow the second bogie wheel to move in a vertical directionrelative to the tilt arm. In another embodiment, the farm implementfurther includes a third bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm and a thirdbogie wheel coupled to the third bogie arm between the first bogie wheeland the second bogie wheel along the line of travel, wherein the thirdbogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the thirdbogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm. Inanother embodiment, the farm implement further includes a fourth bogiearm coupled to the tilt arm and a fourth bogie wheel coupled to thefourth bogie arm between the first bogie wheel and the third bogie wheelalong the line of travel, wherein the fourth bogie arm is movablerelative to the tilt arm so as to allow the fourth bogie wheel to movein a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

The farm implement track assembly may further include a tensioner armoperatively coupled to the rear idler wheel for moving the rear idlerwheel in a forward or rearward direction along the line of travel toincrease or decrease the distance between the front idler wheel and therear idler wheel. In another embodiment, the tensioner arm isoperatively coupled to the front idler wheel for moving the front idlerwheel in a forward or rearward direction along the line of travel toincrease or decrease the distance between the front idler wheel and therear idler wheel.

The farm implement track assembly may further include a first bogie armcoupled to the tilt arm and a first bogie wheel coupled to the bogie armbetween the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel along the line oftravel. The bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allowthe first bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to thetilt arm. The first bogie wheel is rotatably mounted to the first bogiearm at a first location and the first bogie arm is pivotally coupled tothe tilt arm at a second location, and pivotally coupled to thetensioner arm at a third location such that when the first bogie wheelis moved in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm, the tensionerarm and rear idler wheel are moved in an opposite vertical directionrelative to the tilt arm. The farm implement track assembly may alsoinclude a shock absorber pivotally coupled to the tensioner arm at afirst end and pivotally coupled to the tilt arm at a second end. Theshock absorber may be in the form of a spring or a hydraulic cylinder,and the hydraulic cylinder may include an accumulator.

The farm implement may further include a pivot stop coupled to the trackassembly so as to limit the distance that the tilt arm can be pivotedabout the first axis. The pivot stop may be mounted on the camber arm,wherein the tilt arm is coupled to the camber arm such that the tilt armand the camber arm pivot together about the first axis.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the tilt arm may be anelongate member having a first end and a second end, and the camber armmay be a U-shaped member, with a pair of upright portions extendingupwardly from a generally horizontal base portion and located betweenthe first and second end of the tilt arm. In an embodiment, the secondaxis may extend through the base portion of the camber arm, and thefirst axis may extend through the pair of upright portions of the camberarm. In an embodiment, the second pivot axis may be under the firstpivot axis. In an embodiment, the camber arm may be pivotable relativeto the frame about the first axis. In another embodiment, the camber armmay sit within a notch formed in an upper part of the tilt arm. Further,the second pivot axis may be in the same plane as the first pivot axis.

The farm implement may further include a frame for supporting the trackassembly, wherein the frame includes a slot and the pivot stop isreceived within the slot. The farm implement may also include asuspension assembly, wherein the frame is coupled to the track assemblyvia the suspension assembly. The suspension assembly may also include atelescoping arm that allows the lateral distance between the trackassembly and the frame to be adjusted.

A farm implement may include two or more track assemblies according tothe present invention for assisting in moving the farm implement along aground surface in a line of travel. The track assemblies may bepositioned on opposite lateral sides of the frame.

The farm implement may further include a hitch coupled to the frame soas to allow the farm implement to be towed behind a tractor or the likealong a line of travel. In an embodiment, the farm implement may includea tank supported by the frame and configured to hold agriculturalchemicals. A farm implement with such a tank may also include a boomsupport structure for mounting a boom or toolbar, e.g., to spraychemicals from the tank. In other embodiments, the farm implement mayinclude a hopper supported by the frame and configured to receive andstore granular agricultural material, such as grain or seed. If the farmimplement includes such a hopper, the farm implement may also include aconveyor for unloading agricultural material from the hopper, fillingthe hopper or both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a farm implement showing onetrack assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a farm implement showing two trackassemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a rear section view of a farm implement showing twotrack assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3, 3B, and 3C illustrate side views of a farm implement, includingdetailed sections of the track assembly, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the undercarriage of a trackassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate a side view of the undercarriage of a trackassembly, with and without the belt, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the undercarriage of a trackassembly, without the belt, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of the undercarriage of a trackassembly, without the belt and wheels, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the undercarriage of a track assembly,without the belt and wheels, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of the undercarriage, without thebelt, of a track assembly according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a camber pivot for usein a track assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an undercarriage, without the belt,of a track assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of an undercarriage, without thebelt and wheels, of a track assembly according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of an undercarriage, without the beltand wheels, of a track assembly according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of track assembly according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, anumber of illustrative embodiments are described herein with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asproviding examples and not intended to limit the invention to thepreferred embodiments described and/or illustrated herein.

A farm implement 10 with track assemblies 12 according to an embodimentof the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C. Inthe embodiment shown, the farm implement 10 is a crop sprayer with aframe 14, a tank 16 for holding chemicals mounted on the frame, and aboom support structure 18. Boom support structure 18 is coupled to arear portion of the frame 14 and is configured to support a folding boomwith nozzles for spraying chemicals from the tank 16. A tow hitch 20extends forwardly from the frame 14 and allows the sprayer to be towedbehind a tractor or the like. While the farm implement 10 is shown as acrop sprayer, it will be appreciated that the track assembly of thepresent invention can be used on other types of towable farm implements,such as grain carts and seed tenders, as well as self-powered farmimplements, such as combines, and other types of vehicles intended totravel over soft ground.

In the embodiment shown, one track assembly 12 according to the presentinvention is disposed on a right side of the frame 14, and one trackassembly 12 is disposed on a left side of the frame 14. In theembodiment shown, each track assembly 12 is coupled to the frame 14 by asuspension assembly 22. In the embodiment shown, each suspensionassembly 22 includes a horizontal section 24 that extends laterallyoutward from the frame 14 and a pair of blades 26 that extend downwardlyfrom an outer end of the horizontal section. In an embodiment, the outerend of the horizontal section 24 is disposed above the track assembly 12and blades 26 extend downwardly on opposite sides of the track assembly.In an embodiment, the blades 26 extend forwardly at a slight angle fromthe horizontal section 24. Blades 26 mount a horizontal axle 28 thatextends through the track assembly 12. Axle 28 is oriented perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the farm implement (i.e., the direction oftravel). In an embodiment, the length of the horizontal section 24extending from the frame 14 may be adjusted, e.g., by mounting thehorizontal section for sliding movement relative to the frame, so thatthe track width of the implement may be adjusted. For example, in theembodiment shown, a portion of the horizontal section is receivedtelescopically within a tubular section of the frame and clamped inplace when adjusted to a desired width. Similarly, in the embodimentshown, the position of the blades on the horizontal section is madeadjustable by mounting the blades on a tubular member that slidestelescopically over a portion of the horizontal section and providingclamps to hold the blades in a desired position. In the embodimentshown, clamps 80 include brackets disposed in notches formed in theouter telescoping member and bolts extending through the brackets intothreaded openings allowing the brackets to be tightened against theinner telescoping member. Similar clamps can be used to hold thehorizontal section 24 in a desired position relative to the frame.Suspension assemblies 22 can be rigid structures, or the suspensionassemblies may include shock-absorbing members, such as springs,elastomeric bushings, air bags, etc.

FIGS. 4-9 show details of a track assembly 12 according to an embodimentof the present invention. Track assembly 12 includes a track belt 30mounted on an undercarriage 32. In the embodiment shown, theundercarriage 32 includes first and second arms 34 and 36 mounted onaxle 28, third and fourth arms 38 and 40 mounted at opposite ends of thefirst arm 34, respectively, and fifth and sixth arms 42 and 44 mountedon the third and fourth arms 38 and 40, respectively. A pair oflaterally spaced front idler wheels 46 are mounted on front idlerspindles 48 extending from opposite sides of the sixth arm 44, and apair of laterally spaced rear idler wheels 50 are mounted on rear idlerspindles 52 extending from opposite sides of the fifth arm 42. A pair oflongitudinally spaced bogie wheels 54 and 56 are mounted on the thirdand fourth arms 38 and 40, respectively, between the front and rearidler wheels 46 and 50 on each side of the undercarriage. Track belt 30is looped around the front and rear idler wheels 46 and 50.

In the embodiment shown, the first arm 34 is an elongate member withfront and rear ends, and the second arm 36 is generally U-shaped, with apair of upright portions 58 extending upwardly from a generallyhorizontal base portion 60. A central portion of the first arm 34 isdisposed between the upright portions 58 of the second arm 36 in theembodiment shown. Axle 28 extends through the upright portions 58 of thesecond arm 36 and the central portion of the first arm 34 and defines afirst pivot axis perpendicular to the line of travel of the farmimplement. Thus, the first arm 34 can independently pivot or oscillateabout the first axis, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , allowingopposite ends of the first arm 34 to move up and down in order toconform to the road and field profiles thereby reducing stresses oncomponents of the farm implement. The first arm may also be referred toherein as the tilt arm, and the second arm may also be referred toherein as the camber arm.

In the embodiment shown, front and rear ends of the first arm 34 may bevertically slotted to receive the fourth and third arms 38 and 40,respectively. Additionally, a lower edge of the first arm 34 may includeone or more notches. For example, the first arm 34 may include a frontnotch to receive bogie spindle 70, a rear notch to receive bogie spindle68, and a central notch between the front and rear notches to receivethe base 60 of the second arm 36. Front and/or rear ends of the firstarm 34 may also be tapered, as shown.

In an embodiment, a first pivot stop 61 may extend from the second arm36 into a slot or opening in the suspension assembly 22 to limit therange of movement of the first arm 34 about the first pivot axis. Inexemplary embodiments, the range of movement (1^(st) pivot range) of thefirst arm 34 about the first pivot axis can be any angle greater thanzero and up to 90 degrees (i.e., 45 degrees upward and 45 degreesdownward). In a preferred embodiment, the first pivot range is 30degrees (i.e., 15 degrees upward and 15 degrees downward).

The first arm 34 is also connected to the base 60 of the second arm 36at a second pivot 62 below the first arm. The second pivot 62 defines asecond pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis, which allowsthe first arm 34 to pivot or oscillate as shown in FIG. 3A. Allowing thetrack to pivot about this second pivot axis provides variable camber.This variable camber allows the track to conform to arched road profilesand other unlevel field profiles which in turn reduces stresses on framemembers, pins, bearings, etc. In exemplary embodiments, the range ofmovement (2nd pivot range) of the first arm 34 about the second pivotaxis can be any angle greater than zero and up to 45 degrees (i.e., 22.5degrees to the right or left of vertical). In a preferred embodiment,the 2^(nd) pivot range is 7 degrees (i.e., 3.5 degrees to the right orleft of vertical). In another embodiment (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 10-15), the 2nd pivot range is 16 degrees (i.e. 8 degrees to the left orright of vertical). In the embodiment shown, pivot 62 also couples thefirst and second arms to pivot or tilt together about the first axis.

As noted above, attached to the first arm 34 are a third [rear] arm 38and fourth [front] arm 40. The third and fourth arms 38 and 40 attachedto opposite ends of the first arm 34 at third and fourth pivots 64 and66, respectively, that define third and fourth pivot axes orientedperpendicular to the second pivot axis, allowing the third and fourtharms 38 and 40 to pivot independently of the first arm and each other.The third and fourth arms 38 and 40 each contain a set of bogie wheelspindles 68 and 70, respectively. As noted above, spindles 68 and 70 maybe positioned in notches formed in a lower edge of the first arm 34. Thethird arm may also be referred to herein as the first bogie arm, and thefourth arm may also be referred to herein as the second bogie arm. Thethird and fourth pivots 64 and 66 are at locations between the idler andbogie spindles. The third arm 38 also includes a fifth pivot 72 defininga fifth pivot axis parallel to the third and fourth pivot axes, for afifth [tensioner] arm 42 used to tension the track belt 30. This fiftharm 42 can pivot about the fifth pivot axis to move the idler wheelspindle 52 in a generally forward and aft direction to decrease orincrease distance between front and rear idler wheels 46 and 50 thusdecreasing or increasing the force (i.e., tension) on the track belt 30.The fifth arm may also be referred to herein as the tensioner arm.Movement of the fifth arm 42 may be provided by a spring (e.g., as shownin FIG. 8 at 73, connected between an 8^(th) pivot 78 on the third armand a 7^(th) pivot 77 on the fifth arm), a hydraulic cylinder andaccumulator, an airbag, or other device known in the art to apply andabsorb spike forces. Alternatively, the fifth arm 42 may be moved bymeans of an adjustable link, such as a turn-buckle, which can tensionthe track belt but would provide little or no compliance. In exemplaryembodiments, the range of motion of the fifth arm 42 in the generallyforward and aft directions, measured at the spindle 52, can be up to 10inches. In a preferred embodiment, the range of motion of the fifth armis about 2 inches. In the embodiment shown, the fifth arm 42 extendsrearwardly from a notch in the lower edge of the first arm 34 to pivot72 spaced longitudinally rearwardly from the rear end of the first armand upwardly through a vertical slot in the rear end of the first arm tocouple with tensioner element 73. In another embodiment (e.g., as shownin FIGS. 10-14 ), the tensioner arm may be in the front end of theassembly with the alignment arm.

In the embodiment shown, the fourth [front] arm 40 includes a sixthpivot 74 defining a sixth pivot axis about which the sixth arm 44 maypivot, which in turn controls the angle of the front idler spindles 48relative to the line of travel. The sixth arm may also be referred toherein as the alignment arm. The sixth pivot axis is perpendicular tothe fourth pivot axes (i.e., generally vertical). This sixth armmovement may be adjusted so the track belt 30 can run until the trackbelt lugs have minimum contact with the inside of the idler wheels 46and 50. An adjustment bolt or set screw 76 or the like may be used toadjust the position of the sixth arm 44 so that the sixth arm remains inthe desired position as the implement is towed. In exemplaryembodiments, the amount of angular adjustment of the sixth arm about thesixth pivot axis can be up to 10 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees clockwise orcounterclockwise). In a preferred embodiment, the amount of angularadjustment of the sixth arm about the sixth pivot axis is about 4degrees (i.e., 2 degrees clockwise or 2 degrees counterclockwise). Inthe embodiment shown, the fourth arm 40 extends forwardly from a frontnotch in the lower edge of the first arm 34 to sixth arm 44 spacedforwardly of the front end of the first arm and upwardly through avertical slot in the front end of the first arm.

In the embodiment shown, the front and rear idler spindles 48 and 52 arelongitudinally spaced forwardly and rearwardly of the front and rearends of the first arm 34, respectively. The rear idler wheels 50 aremovable generally upwardly and downwardly relative to the first arm 34by pivoting about one or more axes (e.g., 64 and 72) perpendicular tothe direction of travel, and front idler wheels 46 are movable generallyupwardly and downwardly, and side to side, relative to the first arm bypivoting about axes 66 and 74.

In another embodiment of a track assembly according to the presentinvention, shown in FIGS. 10-14 , the camber arm 36 may be positionedwithin an opening 89 in the tilt arm 34. In some embodiments, theopening 89 may comprise a notch formed at a central location along anupper edge of the tilt arm 34. Opening 89 is configured to receivecamber arm 36, e.g., the opening may be generally rectangular withvertical front and rear edges, a horizontal bottom edge, and an open topas shown, and the camber arm 36 may have a generally rectangularconfiguration to fit within the opening. As best seen in FIG. 11 ,camber arm 36 may include a housing 90 defining a cavity 92 open onlaterally opposed sides, and a gimbal 93 may be pivotally mounted withinthe cavity 92 to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the housing. In anembodiment, vertical grooves (not shown) are formed in front and rearedges of the opening 89, and vertical ridges 94 are formed on front andrear sides of the housing 90 and configured to fit within the verticalgrooves in the opening to secure the housing in the opening such thatthe housing and the tilt arm move together as a unit. Gimbal 93 has abody defining a longitudinal bore 96 and a lateral bore 97 thatintersect one another. In an embodiment, the gimbal 93 may have acruciform shape comprised of hollow tubular portions arrangedperpendicular to one another. Lateral bore 97 in the gimbal 93 mayreceive a shaft extending laterally from the frame of the implement anddefining a lateral pivot axis about which the gimbal 93 may pivot. Apair of openings 95 may extend longitudinally through the ridges 94 ofthe housing 90 in coaxial alignment with one another; and, when thegimbal 93 is positioned within the housing 90, the openings 95 may alsobe coaxially aligned with the longitudinal bore 96 of the gimbal 93.Pivot pins 91 extend through the openings 95 in the housing 90 and intothe longitudinal bore 96 of the gimbal 93, thus pinning oppositelongitudinal ends of the gimbal to the housing so that the gimbal, thehousing, and the tilt arm 34 all pivot together about the lateral pivotaxis. The pivot pins 91 also define a longitudinal pivot axis aboutwhich the housing 90 and the tilt arm 34 may pivot relative to thegimbal 93. In the embodiment shown, the lateral and longitudinal pivotaxes intersect and are coplanar.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-14 , the tensioner (fifth arm 42)and the alignment (sixth arm 44) may both be located at the front end ofthe track assembly 12. Also, instead of first and second bogie armscoupled with front and rear idler wheels, this embodiment includes thirdand fourth bogie arms 84 and 88 each supporting two sets of bogie wheels54 a, 54 b and 56 a, 56 b. These bogie wheels may be supported by bogiespindles 68 a, 68 b and 70 a, 70 b. The third bogie arm 84 (also calledthe ninth arm) includes a ninth pivot 82 defining a ninth pivot axisabout which the ninth arm 84 may pivot, which in turn controls therelative position of the bogie wheels to each other. The fourth bogiearm 88 (also called the tenth arm) includes a tenth pivot 86 defining atenth pivot axis about which the tenth arm 88 may pivot, which in turncontrols the relative position of the bogie wheels to each other. Thethird and fourth bogie arms 84 and 88 may each have an inverted V-shapedconfiguration, pivotally coupling with the first arm 34 at respectivetop ends and supporting bogie spindles 68 a, 68 b, 70 a, 70 b atrespective bottom ends, such that when one set of bogie wheels movesvertically in an upward or downward direction, the other set of bogiewheels mounted on the same bogie arm moves in the opposite direction.

In another embodiment (e.g. as shown in FIG. 15 ), additional sets ofbogie wheels may be added. For example, in addition to bogie wheels 54a, 54 b and 56 a, 56 b coupled to the third and fourth bogie arms 84 and88, there may be bogie wheels 54 and 56 coupled to first and secondbogie arms 38 and 40. It should be noted that the embodiment shown inFIG. 15 can be modified by removing the four sets of extra bogie wheels(i.e. the third and fourth bogie arms), making it shorter and resemblingthe embodiment of FIG. 8 , for example, but for the camber arm sittingwithin an opening along an upper edge of the first arm instead of beinglocated below the first arm.

In another embodiment, an elastic member 100 (for example, rubber) isconnected between the camber arm and the tilt arm to allow for camberrotation and suspension. The elastic member 100 may be fitted on theopening in the tilt arm.

While an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shownand described, it will be appreciated that various modifications andimprovements can be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. For example, while a farm implement with one trackassembly on each side is shown, it will be appreciated that two or moretrack assemblies can be provided on each side of the farm implement.Furthermore, while a suspension assembly with a horizontal section andtwo vertical blades is shown, it will be appreciated that a one-bladedsuspension system can be used, or the track assemblies can be mounteddirectly on the frame. Additionally, while forwardly angled blades areshown, it will be appreciated that generally vertical or rearwardlyangled blades can be used. In addition, while a single axle is shownextending through each track assembly, it will be appreciated that thetrack suspension can be configured to support the track using one ormore axles that extend only part way through the track assembly.Moreover, while a spring is shown applying a force on the fifth arm ofthe undercarriage to tension the track belt, it will be appreciated thatother tensioning devices can be used, e.g., other shock-absorbingtensioners such as hydraulic cylinders and accumulators, and airbags, aswell as non-shock-absorbing tensioners such as turn-buckle type links ofadjustable length. Further, while a stop is shown extending from thesecond arm into an opening or slot in the suspension assembly, it willbe appreciated that a stop may extend from the suspension assembly intoan opening or slot formed in the second arm to limit the range of motionof the first arm about the first pivot axis. Also, while the second armis shown as a U-shaped member that cradles the first arm from the bottomand defines a second pivot axis under the first pivot axis, it will beappreciated that the second arm can have other configurations. Forexample, the second arm can be an inverted U-shaped member that cradlesthe first arm from the top and defines a second pivot axis over thefirst pivot axis, or the second arm can be a member that sits within anopening formed in an upper or lower portion of the first arm thatdefines a second pivot axis in the same plane as the first pivot axis.It will be appreciated that although the opening is depicted in the formof a notch along an upper edge of the tilt arm, other forms of theopening are possible, such as an opening in the middle (vertically) ofthe tilt arm. These and other modifications and variations are intendedto be within the scope of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A track assembly for assisting in moving a farm implementalong a ground surface in a line of travel, the track assemblycomprising: a tilt arm comprising front and rear ends; and a camber armcoupled to the tilt arm such that the camber arm permits the tilt arm topivot about a first axis perpendicular to the line of travel and asecond axis parallel to the line of travel; wherein the camber arm islocated between the front and rear ends of the tilt arm.
 2. The trackassembly of claim 1, wherein the tilt arm comprises an opening, and thecamber arm is disposed in the opening of the tilt arm.
 3. The trackassembly of claim 2, wherein the tilt arm comprises an upper edgeextending from the front end to the rear end, and the opening isdisposed along the upper edge.
 4. The track assembly of claim 2, whereinthe camber arm comprises a lateral bore defining the first axis and alongitudinal bore defining the second axis.
 5. The track assembly ofclaim 4, wherein camber arm comprises one or more pivot pins extendinginto the longitudinal bore of the camber arm and coupled to the tiltarm, such that the camber arm and the tilt arm pivot together about thefirst axis.
 6. The track assembly of claim 1, wherein the first axisintersects the second axis.
 7. The track assembly of claim 1, whereinthe camber arm comprises a generally horizontal base portion and a pairof upright portions extending upwardly from the base portion, such thatthe tilt arm is received between the pair of upright portions of thecamber arm.
 8. The track assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a rearidler wheel coupled to the tilt arm; a front idler wheel coupled to thetilt arm and positioned in front of the rear idler wheel along the lineof travel; and a track belt looped around the front idler wheel and therear idler wheel to make contact with the ground surface.
 9. The trackassembly of claim 8, further comprising: an alignment arm pivotallycoupled to the rear idler wheel or the front idler wheel so as to allowthe pivotally-coupled front or rear idler wheel to pivot about a thirdaxis that is vertical relative to the tilt arm.
 10. The track assemblyof claim 8, further comprising: a tensioner arm operatively coupled tothe rear idler wheel or the front idler wheel for moving the coupledfront or rear idler wheel in a forward or rearward direction along theline of travel to increase or decrease a distance between the frontidler wheel and the rear idler wheel.
 11. The track assembly of claim 8,further comprising: a first bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm; and afirst bogie wheel coupled to the first bogie arm between the front idlerwheel and the rear idler wheel.
 12. The track assembly of claim 11,wherein the first bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as toallow the first bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative tothe tilt arm.
 13. The track assembly of claim 12, wherein the firstbogie wheel is rotatably mounted to the first bogie arm at a firstlocation and the first bogie arm is pivotally coupled to the tilt arm ata second location so as to allow the first bogie wheel to move in thevertical direction relative to the tilt arm.
 14. The track assembly ofclaim 11, further comprising: a second bogie arm coupled to the tiltarm; and a second bogie wheel coupled to the second bogie arm betweenthe first bogie wheel and the rear idler wheel along the line of travel.15. The track assembly of claim 14, wherein the second bogie arm ismovable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the second bogie wheelto move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.
 16. The trackassembly of claim 1, wherein the tilt arm is configured to pivot aboutthe first axis up to an angle of about 45° from a horizontal axis. 17.The track assembly of claim 1, wherein the tilt arm is configured topivot about the second axis up to an angle of about 22.5° from avertical axis.